4th January: The Guardian reported that Philip Davies, who sits on the influential Culture, Media and Sport select committee, had failed to declare his links to gambling firms despite being part of an inquiry into the practices of the industry.

It is claimed that he received up to £10,000 in benefits including a trip to the Cheltenham Festival as a guest of Ladbrokes, and a “subscription” worth over £4000 from the holding company which owns bookmakers BetFred.